The Bureta Road / Vale Street intersection safety upgrade is heading into its final stages.

The upgrade includes the installation of a roundabout and three pedestrian crossings which is designed to improve safety for pedestrians, people who cycle and drivers.

During construction a temporary pedestrian crossing is in place outside the work area on the northern side of the Countdown pedestrian entrance, as well as a lane closure and reduced speeds within the work zone.

Stop/go traffic will be maintained throughout construction on the four entrances to the intersection.

The bus stop for bus routes 70, 72a and 72b on Bureta Road, next to the Countdown car park, has been temporarily moved towards Ngatai Road, in front of Liquorland (44 Bureta Road).

Closure Upper Bureta Road - diversion Rushton Avenue
Upper Bureta Road (between Rushton Avenue and Vale Street) remains closed.

A diversion will be in place along Vale Street and Rushton Avenue to reach the upper Bureta Shops, Pillans Point School and residences. Traffic Management and signage is in place.

Temporary bus stop relocations

The Brookfield Medical Centre bus stop at the top of Bureta Road is closed and has been relocated to 25A Rushton Avenue.

The bus stop at 66 Bureta Road has also been relocated to 20 Rushton Avenue.

What is the safety risk?

Safety changes are needed at this intersection due to a pedestrian being fatally injured and other near misses.

"Local schools and residents have told us they want crossing Vale Street to be safer," says a Tauranga City Council spokesperson.

"This includes reducing traffic speed and making the roads safer for pedestrians, people who cycle and drivers. The commissioners have made their position clear: safety of our community is a top priority."

Design features

Moving the existing pedestrian crossing on Vale Street away from the intersection and upgrading it to a raised table crossing so drivers reduce speed on approach.

The crossing is not lined up directly with the path into Countdown to ensure people stop and look before crossing. Both changes improve safety for people using the crossing.

Two new raised pedestrian crossings which will slow traffic approaching the roundabout, making it safer for all road users including pedestrians and people who cycle. These will be located at:

• Lower Bureta Road, between the roundabout and the entrance of Countdown supermarket
• Vale Street, on the Grange Road/golf course side.

"We will remove the existing pram crossing (dropped kerbs so there is smooth access to the road for wheelchairs and prams) across the Countdown side of the Vale Street/Bureta Road intersection to encourage pedestrians to use the new crossing 30m along Vale Street, near the Countdown accessway."

Council says this design includes extra lighting to ensure better safety for all modes of transport after dark.

How will this design make it safer?

"With these improvements we'll get traffic slowing down and an increase in visibility while approaching the intersection. It means safer travel options for everyone, including pedestrians, people who cycle and drivers."

The two new raised pedestrian crossings will make it safer and easier for people on foot to reach the shops and houses at lower Bureta Road.

"By moving the pedestrian crossing on Vale Street further away from the intersection it is safer for everyone to cross to and from the shopping complex.

"This move also reduces the likelihood of drivers being affected by the ‘sunstrike' decrease in visibility at certain times of the day."

What will this mean for commuters?

"Speed calming measures for drivers as they approach intersections and crossings are being put in place to make the area safer for pedestrians and people who cycle.

"These improvements will have a minor impact on drivers' overall journey time and will improve efficiency for some drivers," says a council spokesperson.

"We had a strong response to our survey with 240 people providing feedback. More than 84 per cent of responders were in favour of the proposal."

For more information visit the Tauranga City Council website or email Transportation on transport@tauranga.govt.nz.